‘We Will Sue’: ACLU Threatens Lawsuit If Idaho Transgender Sports Ban Passes

Dan Montanaro | March 17, 2020
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As the Idaho state government works on a law banning biologically male athletes from competing with biologically female athletes, the ACLU has declared its intention of taking legal action against the legislation if necessary. 

The ACLU voiced its position on the matter in a tweet that read, “BREAKING: The Idaho State Senate just passed a bill targeting trans student athletes. This bill could subject any student to invasive screenings. If @GovernorLittle signs this bill, we will sue.”

According to a report by KTVB, the bill (HB500) would prohibit trans girls and trans women from competing on women’s athletic teams, meaning that their birth gender would determine which team they played on. This law would apply to all Idaho high schools, as well as public colleges and universities. 

Rep. Barbara Ehardt tells KTVB this is about fairness in competition.

"We can change our outside appearances, but we don't inherently change who we are physically with the DNA encoded in our bodies," Ehardt said.

Naturally, there has been massive amounts of outrage among transgender activists on social media. TV host Montel Williams wrote “Dear Mr. Speaker (@scottbedke) and Mr. Leader (@IDHouseCaucus) - I hear the #idleg will consider #HB500 today. The notion the Idaho House would spend time during the #CoronavirusOutbreak looking for new ways to persecute transgender people is just beyond the pale. Don’t do this.”

Democratic strategist Meghan Stabler chimed in with her own criticism of the Idaho state government.

“While the world grapples with #coronavirus the Idaho Senate focused on discriminating by legislating against #transgender people and voting 24-11 to pass a bill barring transgender girls and women from women’s high school and college sports teams.”

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